कथन

Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether special education and rehabilitation services are being provided to the visually impaired and hearing impaired persons through the National Institutes established under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD); (b) if so, the steps taken for the expansion or upgradation of the said services; (c) whether similar specialized services are also being provided through dedicated National Institutes for other major categories of disabilities, if so, the details thereof; and (d) the total number of beneficiaries receiving education and rehabilitation services through the said National Institutes at present, State-wise? 17.03.2026 759 THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION; AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT (SHRI B. L. VERMA): (a) and (b) National Institutes (NIs) under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) provide special education, vocational training, skill development, early identification and intervention, therapeutic and rehabilitation services, audiology and speech therapy, Braille literacy, assistive device support services to persons with visual and hearing disabilities. These services are provided through institutions such as National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD), Dehradun, the Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan) [AYJNISHD(D)], Mumbai and the National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (Divyangjan) [NIEPMD (D)], Chennai. The Government has undertaken various measures for expansion, upgradation of services, including strengthening infrastructure, establishing Regional Chapters and Composite Regional Centres, offering new skill training programmes, adopting modern assistive technologies, digitization of learning materials, and expanding outreach programmes for early detection and intervention. These initiatives include establishment of smart classes, development of accessible digital learning resources, integration of AI-based assistive technologies, strengthening of assistive technology laboratories, and 17.03.2026 760 promotion of ICT-based accessible services to support inclusive education and rehabilitation. Two (02) new National Institutes have been established during last ten (10) years, increasing the total number of National Institutes to nine. The numbers of Composite Regional Centres, an extended arm of the National Institutes which provide education and rehabilitation services to all types of disabilities have also been increased from eight (08) to thirty (30) during the last ten (10) years. (c) and (d) Specialized education and rehabilitation services are provided through the other National Institutes, under the Department catering to various categories of disabilities. National Institutes and their Composite Regional Centres, all taking together, have been geared to cater to all twenty one (21) Notified Disabilities. These other National Institutes include: (i) National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), Secunderabad – providing services related to intellectual disabilities including special education, early intervention, skill training and rehabilitation. (ii) Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi – to develop, promote and standardize Indian Sign Language (ISL). (iii) National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD), Divyangjan, Kolkata – providing services relating to locomotor disabilities 17.03.2026 761 including orthopaedic rehabilitation, physiotherapy, prosthetics and orthotics training. (iv) National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR), Sehore- providing multidisciplinary mental health rehabilitation services. (v) Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR), Cuttack – providing rehabilitation services, training and research in the field of locomotor disabilities and blood disorders. (vi) Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDUNIPPD), New Delhi – providing rehabilitation, therapy, training and assistive technology services for persons with physical disabilities. These National Institutes also provide other services such as special education, skill training, therapeutic interventions, early intervention programmes, production and distribution of assistive devices, and training of rehabilitation professionals in their areas. A total of 12,65,764 beneficiaries have been provided with rehabilitation services by all National Institutes under the Department during current financial year (till date). The Institute-wise details of student intake for courses conducted and the rehabilitation services provided are given in the enclosed Statement. 17.03.2026 762 STATEMENT Institute-wise details of student intake for courses conducted by the National Institutes and the rehabilitation services provided by them during the year 2025–26 (as on date): S.No. Name NIs Number of students intake Rehabilitation Services provided 1. National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Visual Disabilities (NIEPVD), Dehradun, 776 110777 2. Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (AYJNISHD), Mumbai, 763 116698 3. National Institute for the Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (NIEPID), Secunderabad 1076 227910 4. National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities (NIEPMD), Chennai 301 235329 5. Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDUNIPPD) , New Delhi 258 79375 6. Swami Vivekanand National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR), Cuttak 391 443385 7. National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD), Kolkata 191 45891 8. Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC), New Delhi 146 * 9. National Institute of Mental Health Rehabilitation (NIMHR), Sehore 187 6399 Total 4089 1265764 *ISLTRC does not provide rehabilitation services 17.03.2026 763 PROMOTING THE CLIMATE RESILIENT AGRICULTURE IN KERALA 4035. SHRIMATI PRIYANKA GANDHI VADRA: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS’ WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has assessed the impact of climate changes like shifting monsoon patterns on farmers and crop yields in Kerala especially in hilly districts like Wayanad, if so, the details thereof; (b) whether the Government has taken any initiatives to promote climate resilient agriculture in Kerala, if so, the details thereof including the number of farmers targeted, area covered in hectares, funds allocated for each scheme especially in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency; (c) the details of the financial support provided to small and marginal farmers in Kerala for climate adaptation under Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization (KCRA) Project including total amount disbursed, number of beneficiaries and average assistance per farmer; (d) whether the Government has assessed if KCRA has improved price realisation and reduced climate risks for small and marginal farmers; and (e) whether any assessment of climate risks specific to Kerala such as shifting monsoons, floods, salinity was conducted and if so, the details of measures planned to mitigate these risks through agricultural practices? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY): 17.03.2026 764 (a) and (b) The Government, through Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) flagship network project National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), has conducted risk and vulnerability assessments for 651 predominantly agricultural districts using the protocol of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Based on the assessment, 109 districts were categorized as very highly vulnerable and 201 districts as highly vulnerable to climate change. In Kerala, the districts of Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Ernakulam, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram were categorized under very high risk, while Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur were categorized under high risk. The project is currently operational in one village cluster each in Kannur, Kottayam, Kozhikode, Palakkad and Wayanad districts for demonstration and adoption of climate-resilient technologies through Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs). Major climate-resilient practices demonstrated include vermicomposting, husk burial and coir pith compost application in coconut, drum seeding and mat nursery in rice, short-duration paddy varieties, micro- irrigation in coffee, contour trenches in plantations, drainage-cum-irrigation structures in paddy fields, desilting of irrigation canals, improvement of percolation ponds, integrated fish farming, tilapia culture in homestead ponds, improved livestock and poultry shelters and millets as intercrops in coconut gardens. A total fund of ₹3,12,14,558 was allocated to Kerala under the NICRA Technology Demonstration Component during this period, of which ₹50,04,000 17.03.2026 765 was allocated to Wayanad district. During 2021–2026, 7,250 farmers participated in demonstrations covering 2,477 hectares. (c) and (d) As reported by the State Government of Kerala, the Kerala Climate Resilient Agri-Value Chain Modernization (KCRA) Project, with a project outlay of ₹2,365.50 crore, commenced on 02.02.2025. The project includes a comprehensive assessment on price realisation and the reduction of climate risks for small and marginal farmers. The project covers 3,00,000 farmers for adoption of climate-resilient technologies in 1,00,000 hectares and about 4,00,000 farmers for enhanced resilience of livelihoods. (e) Under NICRA, climate risks such as changing monsoon patterns, floods and salinity were assessed, and adaptive measures were promoted. Farmers were advised on late transplantation, and after the 2018 Kerala floods, soil testing and Soil Health Cards were provided to affected farmers. Salinity- tolerant rice varieties have also been promoted in saline ecosystems such as the traditional Pokkali and Kaipad systems. During 2014–2025, 79 crop varieties were released and notified for the State of Kerala, including several climate-resilient varieties tolerant to drought/moisture stress, floods/submergence, heat stress and salinity, which support climate adaptation and enhance resilience of agricultural production systems. FUNCTIONING OF FARMER PRODUCER ORGANISATIONS 4036. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE be pleased to state: 17.03.2026 766 (a) the performance of Farmer Producer Organisations in the State of Andhra Pradesh since its inception; (b) the details of commodities promoted through FPOs of Andhra Pradesh; (c) the details of reasons that in spite of having 720 FPOs in AP, only 227 have been able to avail equity grant; (d) the manner in which the equity grant 227 FPOs availed till October, 2025; and (e) the efforts being made by the Government to encourage more and more FPOs to avail equity grant? THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY): (a) Under the Central Sector Scheme for Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), 716 FPOs have been formed and registered in the State of Andhra Pradesh. As on 12th March, 2026, these FPOs collectively have a shareholder base of 6,32,891 farmers, indicating substantial participation of farmers in the FPO ecosystem. Further, 387 FPOs possess fertilizer licences, 201 FPOs hold seed licences, and 198 FPOs have pesticide licences, enabling them to supply agricultural inputs to their member farmers. 356 FPOs have been onboarded on the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) platform to facilitate digital market linkages. The FPOs in the State have collectively achieved a total turnover of ₹3,543.73 crore. (b) Major agricultural commodities promoted by FPOs in Andhra Pradesh formed under 10,000 FPO Scheme are Paddy, Groundnut, Cotton, 17.03.2026 767 Sugarcane, Maize, Red Gram (Tur), Turmeric, Sesame, Spices, Tomato, Millets, Jaggery, Mango, Banana and Coconut. (c) Out of the total 716 FPOs formed in Andhra Pradesh under the scheme, 327 FPOs have availed equity grant. The remaining FPOs are at various stages of shareholder mobilization, share capital collection, documentation and online submission of application, as required under the scheme. (d) Equity Grant is availed by the FPO in order to (i) enhance viability and sustainability of FPOs; (ii) increase credit worthiness of FPOs; and (iii) enhance shareholding of members to increase their ownership and participation. (e) The Government is encouraging FPOs to avail equity grant in order to strengthen their financial base through awareness programmes, shareholder mobilization, capacity building, continuous monitoring, handholding and facilitation by all Implementing Agencies (IAs) and Cluster- Based Business Organizations (CBBOs). WOMEN LED STARTUPS 4037. DR. SHARMILA SARKAR:

वक्ता Sanjay Jaiswal

कब कहा 2026-03-17T00:00:00.000Z

किस वाद-विवाद में Ruling regarding Notices of Adjournment Motion